Harima laid on the grass, covered in pieces of pie. Cream was in his hair; which he's been thinking about cutting back to his former short hairstyle. He whips off some of the crumbs on his jacket, and sighs. "Eh?" He looks to his side when a sudden change in the air alerts him to the young woman sitting next to him; wearing a high-school uniform.
"Harima-kun," Tenma greeted, laying besides him in the grass. A deep blush spread across Harima's face. She smiled at him when he turned his head to get a better look at her. She was sitting so close. Something warm brushed against his pinky finger. He glanced down, seeing Tenma's hand right next to his own. He looked back at Tenma. She was blushing and smiling. At him.
Did that mean...? Finally?
His pinky lifted up and then slid on top of Tenma's pinky, never breaking eye contact with her. She glanced down at their almost-entwined hands for a moment before looking back into Harima's eyes.
"Tsukamoto," Harima said, returning her greeting in a deep baritone voice. She was also covered head to toe with pie.
He had changed, in little ways. He was taller now and much more muscular. He seemed different in other ways too, but she wasn't sure how. She just knew he had grown up a little. Living in America, dealing with her emotions towards Karasuma, learning English, and growing up a little too quickly.
She had changed. Not in height and she still looked like a high-schooler. Especially in that outfit. But he knew the moment he saw her, the way she had looked at him, that so many things had changed. He had grown too. Found himself, what he wanted to do in life, and got into his fair share (and more) of fist fights.
Harima wasn't sure how long they had been staring at each other, each reminiscing on their lives this past year. Her, realizing what she wanted in love, and him realizing what he wanted in life.
Her hand, so soft and warm, slid under his hand more. He squeezed gently, wondering what exactly was happening. His heart beat was so loud, he couldn't hear the sounds of his old classmates fighting any longer, and his breathing was so irregular he thought he'd never catch his breath again.
"Harima-kun, I... I've missed you."
"I... I... Listen, Tenma-chan," Harima's voice broke. It was now or never. She was patiently waiting for him to continue. He started thinking about how to start, how he fell in love at first sight, or how he watched her from afar, or how he'd sacrifice everything to protect her. Or about all the misunderstandings. But without his knowledge, his mouth just opened and his voice came out. Evenly, smooth, warm. "I love you."
Tears welled in her eyes. He squeezed her hand unconsciously, a reflex at the fear she would run away; rejecting him.
"Harima-kun. I... I've known since that day at the airport; maybe longer. And..." Her voice caught in her throat. She wanted to scream her feelings. Which she failed to do, so she simply said, in a quivering voice, "I like you, Harima-kun."